[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 87 (Monday, June 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1359-E1361]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  A STATEMENT BY SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZZA RICE AT THE AMERICAN 
                          UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON TOM LANTOS

                            of california---

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 27, 2005

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform my colleagues of the 
forthright, courageous, and eloquent speech on democratization that 
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice delivered on June 20, 2005, to an 
audience at the American University in Cairo during her trip this week 
to Egypt.
  In Cairo, Secretary Rice acknowledged that democracies may vary 
somewhat from place to place, but she emphasized that there are certain 
ground-rules common to all democracies: ``the right to speak freely, 
the right to associate, the right to worship as you wish, the freedom 
to educate your children--boys and girls, and freedom from the midnight 
knock of the secret police'' among others.
  Then she delivered powerful messages to both Middle Eastern 
authoritarian rulers and their citizens. To the rulers, Rice warned 
that ``the fear of free choices can no longer justify the denial of 
liberty. It is time to abandon the excuses that are made to avoid the 
hard work of democracy.''
  Mr. Speaker, to the citizens of the Middle East she offered hope: 
``Millions of people are demanding freedom for themselves and democracy 
for their countries. To these courageous men and women, I say today: 
All free

[[Page E1360]]

nations will stand with you as you secure the blessings of your own 
liberty.''
  The Secretary commended President Mubarak's reform of presidential 
elections in Egypt, but she made clear that Egypt's implementation of 
the reform will be watched closely. And she defined exactly what fair 
implementation means: ``Opposition groups must be free to assemble, and 
to participate, and to speak to the media. Voting should occur without 
violence or intimidation. And international election monitors and 
observers must have unrestricted access to do their jobs.''
  Moreover, she made clear that, even in the best circumstances, Egypt 
has a long way to go: ``The day must come when the rule of law replaces 
emergency decrees--and when the independent judiciary replaces 
arbitrary justice.''
  Our Secretary of State has returned from the Middle East having re-
affirmed American values and having made clear that our commitment to 
freedom in the Middle East is unflinching. And she communicated her 
message with a generosity of spirit and an understanding of the 
difficulties of democracy-building--as when she acknowledged America's 
painful history of slavery and discrimination--that made clear to her 
audience that the U.S. will be an empathetic partner along the path to 
freedom.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that Secretary Rice's address be placed in the 
Record, and I urge my colleagues to read and give attention to her 
thoughtful remarks.

    Address of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the American 
                          University in Cairo

       Thank you very much, Dr. Hala Mustafa, for that really kind 
     and warm introduction and your inspiring thoughts about 
     democracy here in the region. I am honored to be here in the 
     great and ancient city of Cairo.
       The United States values our strategic relationship and our 
     strengthening economic ties with Egypt. And American 
     presidents since Ronald Reagan have benefited from the wisdom 
     and the counsel of President Mubarak, with whom I had the 
     pleasure of meeting earlier today.
       The people of America and Egypt have always desired to 
     visit one another and to learn from one another. And the 
     highest ideals of our partnership are embodied right here, in 
     the American University of Cairo. This great center of 
     learning has endured and thrived--from the days when our 
     friendship was somewhat rocky, to today, when the 
     relationship is strong. And I am very grateful and honored to 
     address you in the halls of this great center of learning.
       Throughout its history, Egypt has always led this region 
     through its moments of greatest decision. In the early 19th 
     century, it was the reform-minded dynasty of Muhammad Ali 
     that distinguished Egypt from the Ottoman Empire and began to 
     transform it into the region's first modern nation.
       In the early 20th century, it was the forward-looking Wafd 
     Party that rose in the aftermath of the First World War and 
     established Cairo as the liberal heart of the ``Arab 
     Awakening.'' And just three decades ago, it was Anwar Sadat 
     who showed the way forward for the entire Middle East--
     beginning difficult economic reforms and making peace with 
     Israel. In these periods of historic decision, Egypt's 
     leadership was as visionary as it was essential for progress. 
     And now in our own time, we are faced with equally momentous 
     choices--choices that will echo for generations to come.
       In this time of great decision, I have come to Cairo not to 
     talk about the past, but to look to the future--to a future 
     that Egyptians can lead and can define. Ladies and Gentlemen: 
     In our world today, a growing number of men and women are 
     securing their liberty. And as these people gain the power to 
     choose, they are creating democratic governments in order to 
     protect their natural rights.
       We should all look to a future when every government 
     respects the will of its citizens--because the ideal of 
     democracy is universal. For 60 years, my country, the United 
     States, pursued stability at the expense of democracy in this 
     region here in the Middle East--and we achieved neither. Now, 
     we are taking a different course. We are supporting the 
     democratic aspirations of all people.
       As President Bush said in his Second Inaugural Address: 
     ``America will not impose our style of government on the 
     unwilling. Our goal instead is to help others find their own 
     voice, to attain their own freedom, and to make their own 
     way.''
       We know these advances will not come easily, or all at 
     once. We know that different societies will find forms of 
     democracy that work for them. When we talk about democracy, 
     though, we are referring to governments that protect certain 
     basic rights for all their citizens--among these, the right 
     to speak freely. The right to associate. The right to worship 
     as you wish. The freedom to educate your children--boys and 
     girls. And freedom from the midnight knock of the secret 
     police.
       Securing these rights is the hope of every citizen, and the 
     duty of every government. In my own country, the progress of 
     democracy has been long and difficult. And given our history, 
     the United States has no cause for false pride and we have 
     every reason for humility.
       After all, America was founded by individuals who knew that 
     all human beings--and the governments they create--are 
     inherently imperfect. And the United States was born half 
     free and half slave. And it was only in my lifetime that my 
     government guaranteed the right to vote for all of its 
     people.
       Nevertheless, the principles enshrined in our Constitution 
     enable citizens of conviction to move America closer every 
     day to the ideal of democracy. Here in the Middle East, that 
     same long hopeful process of democratic change is now 
     beginning to unfold. Millions of people are demanding freedom 
     for themselves and democracy for their countries.
       To these courageous men and women, I say today: All free 
     nations will stand with you as you secure the blessings of 
     your own liberty. I have just come from Jordan, where I met 
     with the King and Queen--two leaders who have embraced reform 
     for many years. And Jordan's education reforms are an example 
     for the entire region. That government is moving toward 
     political reforms that will decentralize power and give 
     Jordanians a greater stake in their future.
       In Iraq, millions of citizens are refusing to surrender to 
     terror the dream of freedom and democracy. When Baghdad was 
     first designed, over twelve-hundred years ago, it was 
     conceived as the ``Round City''--a city in which no citizen 
     would be closer to the center of justice than any other. 
     Today--after decades of murder, and tyranny, and injustice--
     the citizens of Iraq are again reaching for the ideals of the 
     Round City.
       Despite the attacks of violent and evil men, ordinary 
     Iraqis are displaying great personal courage and remarkable 
     resolve. And every step of the way--from regaining their 
     sovereignty, to holding elections, to now writing a 
     constitution--the people of Iraq are exceeding all 
     expectations.
       The Palestinian people have also spoken. And their freely-
     elected government is working to seize the best opportunity 
     in years to fulfill their historic dream of statehood. 
     Courageous leaders, both among the Palestinians and the 
     Israelis, are dedicated to seeking that peace. And they are 
     working to build a shared trust.
       The Palestinian Authority will soon take control of the 
     Gaza--a first step toward realizing the vision of two 
     democratic states living side by side in peace and security. 
     As Palestinians fight terror, and as the Israelis fulfill 
     their obligations and responsibilities to help create a 
     viable Palestinian state, the entire world--especially Egypt 
     and the United States--will offer full support.
       In Lebanon, supporters of democracy are demanding 
     independence from foreign masters. After the assassination of 
     Rafiq Hariri, thousands of Lebanese citizens called for 
     change. And when the murder of journalist Samir Qaseer 
     reminded everyone of the reach and brutality of terror, the 
     Lebanese people were still unafraid.
       They mourned their fellow patriot, but they united publicly 
     with pens and pencils held aloft. It is not only the Lebanese 
     people who desire freedom from Syria's police state. The 
     Syrian people themselves share that aspiration.
       One hundred and seventy-nine Syrian academics and human 
     rights activists are calling upon their government to ``let 
     the Damascus spring flower, and let its flowers bloom.'' 
     Syria's leaders should embrace this call--and learn to trust 
     their people. The case of Syria is especially serious, 
     because as its neighbors embrace democracy and political 
     reform, Syria continues to harbor or directly support groups 
     committed to violence--in Lebanon, and in Israel, and Iraq, 
     and in the Palestinian territories. It is time for Syria to 
     make a strategic choice to join the progress that is going on 
     all around it.
       In Iran, people are losing patience with an oppressive 
     regime that denies them their liberty and their rights. The 
     appearance of elections does not mask the organized cruelty 
     of Iran's theocratic state. The Iranian people, ladies and 
     gentlemen, are capable of liberty. They desire liberty. And 
     they deserve liberty. The time has come for the unelected few 
     to release their grip on the aspirations of the proud people 
     of Iran.
       In Saudi Arabia, brave citizens are demanding accountable 
     government. And some good first steps toward openness have 
     been taken with recent municipal elections. Yet many people 
     pay an unfair price for exercising their basic rights. Three 
     individuals in particular are currently imprisoned for 
     peacefully petitioning their government. That should not be a 
     crime in any country.
       Now, here in Cairo, President Mubarak's decision to amend 
     the country's constitution and hold multiparty elections is 
     encouraging. President Mubarak has unlocked the door for 
     change. Now, the Egyptian Government must put its faith in 
     its own people. We are all concerned for the future of 
     Egypt's reforms when peaceful supporters of democracy--men 
     and women--are not free from violence. The day must come when 
     the rule of law replaces emergency decrees--and when the 
     independent judiciary replaces arbitrary justice.
       The Egyptian Government must fulfill the promise it has 
     made to its people--and to the entire world--by giving its 
     citizens the freedom to choose. Egypt's elections, including 
     the Parliamentary elections, must meet objective standards 
     that define every free election.
       Opposition groups must be free to assemble, and to 
     participate, and to speak to the media. Voting should occur 
     without violence or intimidation. And international election 
     monitors and observers must have unrestricted access to do 
     their jobs.
       Those who would participate in elections, both supporters 
     and opponents of the government, also have responsibilities. 
     They must

[[Page E1361]]

     accept the rule of law, they must reject violence, they must 
     respect the standards of free elections, and they must 
     peacefully accept the results.
       Throughout the Middle East, the fear of free choices can no 
     longer justify the denial of liberty. It is time to abandon 
     the excuses that are made to avoid the hard work of 
     democracy. There are those who say that democracy is being 
     imposed. In fact, the opposite is true: Democracy is never 
     imposed. It is tyranny that must be imposed.
       People choose democracy freely. And successful reform is 
     always homegrown. Just look around the world today. For the 
     first time in history, more people are citizens of 
     democracies than of any other form of government. This is the 
     result of choice, not of coercion.
       There are those who say that democracy leads to chaos, or 
     conflict, or terror. In fact, the opposite is true: Freedom 
     and democracy are the only ideas powerful enough to overcome 
     hatred, and division, and violence. For people of diverse 
     races and religions, the inclusive nature of democracy can 
     lift the fear of difference that some believe is a license to 
     kill. But people of goodwill must choose to embrace the 
     challenge of listening, and debating, and cooperating with 
     one another.
       For neighboring countries with turbulent histories, 
     democracy can help to build trust and settle old disputes 
     with dignity. But leaders of vision and character must commit 
     themselves to the difficult work that nurtures the hope of 
     peace. And for all citizens with grievances, democracy can be 
     a path to lasting justice. But the democratic system cannot 
     function if certain groups have one foot in the realm of 
     politics and one foot in the camp of terror.
       There are those who say that democracy destroys social 
     institution and erodes moral standards. In fact, the opposite 
     is true: The success of democracy depends on public character 
     and private virtue. For democracy to thrive, free citizens 
     must work every day to strengthen their families, to care for 
     their neighbors, and to support their communities.
       There are those who say that long-term economic and social 
     progress can be achieved without free minds and free markets. 
     In fact, human potential and creativity are only fully 
     released when governments trust their people's decisions and 
     invest in their people's future. And the key investment is in 
     those people's education. Because education--for men and for 
     women--transforms their dreams into reality and enables them 
     to overcome poverty.
       There are those who say that democracy is for men alone. In 
     fact, the opposite is true: Half a democracy is not a 
     democracy. As one Muslim woman leader has said, ``Society is 
     like a bird. It has two wings. And a bird cannot fly if one 
     wing is broken.'' Across the Middle East, women are inspiring 
     us all.
       In Kuwait, women protested to win their right to vote, 
     carrying signs that declared: ``Women are Kuwaitis, too.'' 
     Last month, Kuwait's legislature voiced its agreement. In 
     Saudi Arabia, the promise of dignity is awakening in some 
     young women. During the recent municipal elections, I saw the 
     image of a father who went to vote with his daughter.
       Rather than cast his vote himself, he gave the ballot to 
     his daughter, and she placed it in the ballot box. This small 
     act of hope reveals one man's dream for his daughter. And he 
     is not alone.
       Ladies and Gentlemen: Across the Middle East today, 
     millions of citizens are voicing their aspirations for 
     liberty and for democracy. These men and women are expanding 
     boundaries in ways many thought impossible just one year ago.
       They are demonstrating that all great moral achievements 
     begin with individuals who do not accept that the reality of 
     today must also be the reality of tomorrow.
       There was a time, not long ago, after all, when liberty was 
     threatened by slavery.
       The moral worth of my ancestors, it was thought, should be 
     valued by the demand of the market, not by the dignity of 
     their souls. This practice was sustained through violence. 
     But the crime of human slavery could not withstand the power 
     of human liberty. What seemed impossible in one century 
     became inevitable in the next.
       There was a time, even more recently, when liberty was 
     threatened by colonialism. It was believed that certain 
     peoples required foreign masters to rule their lands and run 
     their lives. Like slavery, this ideology of injustice was 
     enforced through oppression.
       But when brave people demanded their rights, the truth that 
     freedom is the destiny of every nation rang true throughout 
     the world. What seemed impossible in one decade became 
     inevitable in the next.
       Today, liberty is threatened by undemocratic governments. 
     Some believe this is a permanent fact of history. But there 
     are others who know better. These impatient patriots can be 
     found in Baghdad and Beirut, in Riyadh and in Ramallah, in 
     Amman and in Tehran and right here in Cairo.
       Together, they are defining a new standard of justice for 
     our time--a standard that is clear, and powerful, and 
     inspiring: Liberty is the universal longing of every soul, 
     and democracy is the ideal path for every nation.
       The day is coming when the promise of a fully free and 
     democratic world, once thought impossible, will also seem 
     inevitable. The people of Egypt should be at the forefront of 
     this great journey, just as you have led this region through 
     the great journeys of the past.
       A hopeful future is within the reach of every Egyptian 
     citizen--and every man and woman in the Middle East. The 
     choice is yours to make. But you are not alone. All free 
     nations are your allies. So together, let us choose liberty 
     and democracy--for our nations, for our children, and for our 
     shared future. Thank you.

                          ____________________